Lisa and Tom Ponchak share their faith journey in a recent presentation at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Carmel. (Photo by Brigid Curtis Ayer)
By Brigid Curtis Ayer
Prodigal Catholics leave and return renewed
CARMEL, IN — Do you know a “prodigal Catholic”?
Tom and Lisa Ponchak know first-hand the well-worn path of “prodigal Catholics” because they travelled it together.
More than 100 parishioners of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish gathered recently to hear the Ponchaks’ story of how they walked out the doors of the Catholic Church. Yet unlike some others, the Ponchaks’ story has this happy ending: They returned to the Church with great peace, joy and fervor. Tom Ponchak now serves as director of adult faith formation for the Carmel parish.
The couple, who are parents of six children, said they both grew up Catholic.